Slowly I have seen the emergence of Caribbean musical tributes to Barack Obama, something one ordinarily does not see happening with US presidential candidates, most of whom I would argue inspire indifference, resignation, or plain hostility in the English-speaking Caribbean which, without a language barrier, and with significant family connections, and blanketed by US media, is directly exposed to US politics.
Posted below are a number of music videos from some well known Caribbean music celebrities, including The Mighty Sparrow (Trinidad), repeatedly crowned the Calypso King of the World (and a favourite of US General Colin Powell, who raucously cheered and sang along in a visit to Trinidad in 1998); Cocoa Tea (Jamaica); and, Tyrical (Jamaica).
The reasons voiced for their support of Obama are varied, but it seems likely that the fact that for the first time there is a good chance that a man with African ancestry, classed as African-American in the US, could win the presidency is something that is starting to attract enthusiasm in the Caribbean. That the image of the US could be significantly reshaped in the Caribbean is possible, were Obama to be elected president, and it could blur political lines of antagonism between what was called the “third world” and the US. In this same vein, to the extent that it can be justified, the US would for the first time be projecting an ambiguous image, one that would possibly introduce some pause in the anti-American hostility that has grown worldwide over the past several years — all of this remains to be seen. Anyway, let’s turn to the videos below:
The Mighty Sparrow: “Barack the Magnificent”
Vodpod videos no longer available.
The respect of the world that we now lack,
If you want it back, then vote Barack!
Because this time we come out to vote!
Stop the war!
Stop genocide in Darfur!
No matter what,
Get health care for who have not!
The Foreign Relations Committee,
Can attest to his tenacity,
For homeland and job security.
He stood his ground
When the war was a conception,
Said it was wrong,
So he didn’t go along,
Jim Baker and Lee Hamilton
They said of Barack’s opinion,
“He’s a man of resplendent vision!”
I know the warmongers are anxious, ready and set,
Saddam is who posing to us our really main threat,
They magnified Saddam’s offences,
Now we’re paying the consequences,
Everyday our soldiers joining the trenches!
Barack! Barack!
He’s fighting for openness and honest government!
Barack!
He’s doggedly defiant,
Phenomenal strength and wisdom beyond comment!
After you put we in a quagmire!
Not this time!
We come out to vote!
What’s at stake?
Clean up Washington overall!
In the wake
Of the Jack Abramoff scandal.
The middle class done elect a man,
It’s without representation,
This régime has too much corruption!
He wants to see,
A whole energy policy,
Inclusively,
Extent? Comprehensively:
Renewable fuels to clean coal,
There’ll be no price gouging at all,
These things are Barack Obama’s goal.
Entrenched in the crooked régime, we must all, take note,
They’ll be kicking and screaming at me, so we all must vote!
By not exercising these rights,
It’s refusing to see the light,
Democrats! Rise up! Stand up and fight!
Barack! Barack!
On the Senate Affair Committee he’s a giant!
Barack!
Dignifiedly resilient,
And with rock star status he’s Barack The Magnificent!
You talk about how you won’t cut and run,
Rumsfeld and Rove, that’s what they done!
But not this time!
We come out to vote!
Not so government work!
As a grad,
From both Columbia and Harvard,
This GI lad,
Want all others to study hard,
We’re the wealthiest in less respects,
Without proper health insurance,
Walter Reed Hospital, for instance.
Quality check!
Every wounded soldier should get,
Not abject neglect,
All providers must give a heck!
Health care must be affordable
And easily accessible,
Make existentialism enjoyable!
Without that we could be living in pure misery,
Psychological, mental, even insanity.
Loving husband, father of two,
That is Obama’s point of view,
Religiously-urged family value.
Barack! Barack!
Civil rights lawyer who taught constitutional law.
Barack!
Super terrific, I quote,
“Candidate of note!”
So, make sure he gets your vote!
Subpoenaing them gets you no answer!
The Attorney-General can’t remember!
Not this time!
We come out to vote!
We know he’s young,
But, with the Wisdom of Solomon,
Not like that one!
He has experience, look what he’s done!
Insurgents have just one focus:
That’s to put a hurting on us.
Worldwide security must be enforced!
Immigration
Could even get further outta hand,
The border plan,
He’ll protect in legal fashion,
Undocumenteds would get time,
They’ll have to atone for their crime,
Criminals would be kicked out, behind!
Employers who hire illegals and who outsource,
Know it’s unconstitutional and time to change course,
Special interests ain’t facing facts,
Illiteracy and slavery could last,
Disenfranchisement gone, the time has passed!
Barack! Barack!
The first black President to lead this mighty nation!
Barack!
We’ll regain worldwide respect
with Obama’s vision and excellent comprehension!
The respect of the world we now lack,
If you want it back, then vote Barack!
Not this time!
We come out to vote!
ZERO ANTHROPOLOGY 